MNN - Mother Nature Network

 

 

I’ve been to a Thanksgiving dinner where there was no turkey. I understand that vegetarians or vegans would not want turkey, but for the rest of us, Sifton is right. Turkey and all its trimmings is what we expect on our plates.

 

There are a couple of things I don’t necessarily agree with, though. I do put out appetizers – just a few things for people to munch on because dinner is always later than I think it’s going to be. I usually put out veggies and dip and some pumpkin bread. And I save some cleanup for the next day. The dinner dishes usually get done, but the dessert and coffee dishes wait until Friday. So does putting some of the serving platters and bowls that only come out on Thanksgiving.

 

What I think this video is really about is the familiar. The rules that you expect to be followed on Thanksgiving are usually the ones you are comfortable with, the ones you grew up with. If your family had a very traditional Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, those things will be in your rules. If your family did it differently, your rules will be different. Thanksgiving is a holiday where people want to be cozy and comfortable, and the familiar will provide that. 

 

What do you think of Sifton’s rules? Are they the same as yours, or do you have different rules that make you comfortable?